Time to control the fans, says Ramps

Surrey star Mark Ramprakash fears a player or umpire could be harmed if efforts are not made to curb unruly crowd behaviour at Twenty20 games.

The Twenty20 Cup has again attracted big audiences this summer but a number of matches have been marred by unsavoury incidents involving supporters, especially at out-grounds.

The Umpires' Association have already made their security concerns clear and Ramprakash admits the actions of some spectators have spoiled his enjoyment of the cricket and made him fear harm.

The former England batsman said: "It is great for domestic cricket to be getting big crowds but now there is a certain element there, perhaps a younger audience, of big groups of people who are consuming large amounts of alcohol and there is quite a lot of abuse flying around.

"It is something I certainly don't enjoy and I know the players are very concerned at the moment about security at certain venues.

"I know from some of the umpires they are feeling the heat from the crowd as well.

"Unfortunately you have to deal with it but it's not something you want to have to go out every evening and deal with."